oil change interval

[Bart Geerts]

First of all, I did a search... found a lot about oil-changes, even the interval-time, which I already knew.

My question :

Is the reason for the interval of 6 months on the NSX (1991) because of the oil quality in 1991 not being the same as now. All normal cars now are changing every year, modern cars even every 2-3 years?
So, with the oil quality of today, are we ok to chage every year as well? Or should we stay with the 6 months?

opinions?

 

[nsxtasy]

Is the reason for the interval of 6 months on the NSX (1991) because of the oil quality in 1991 not being the same as now. All normal cars now are changing every year, modern cars even every 2-3 years?
So, with the oil quality of today, are we ok to chage every year as well? Or should we stay with the 6 months?

I'm sure you are going to get the same lack of consensus here as in the previous oil change topics. There are undoubtedly going to be people who say you can go for a year if your miles don't exceed the service interval, and others who say you should change it every six months, and still others who say you should change it every three months. Do what you think is best for your car and your budget.

WHY have they extended the service intervals? I don't know. But they have extended others, as well - not just the oil change intervals. On my 2001 Integra, they don't even have an interval for the air filter replacement any more - and we all know air filters need replacing from time to time. My personal guess is that they felt pressure from marketing to extend service intervals where possible without doing major harm to the car.

Incidentally, I have never heard of any cars that recommend an oil change interval greater than one year.

 

[Enzo]

Hi Bart,

FYI, I change all fluids each spring.

 

[Bart Geerts]

Incidentally, I have never heard of any cars that recommend an oil change interval greater than one year.

my Renault Kangoo = 3 years (I change it every year tho)
A friend of mine drove with an oddysey 4 years and 100,000 miles without changing oil, I don't know if he wanted to proove something or was just in lack of time to do it... 1 thing was for sure, the oil did loose all it's lubricating capcity.

Do what you think is best for your car and your budget.

If the price of 5 liter of oil starts to be budget question, I will sell my car immediatly

 

[Bart Geerts]

Hi Bart,

FYI, I change all fluids each spring.

Hey David, How have you been...

I'll do the same. I think it's an oil quality thing.

I have a great machine to flush and fill the coolant water here. I changed all hoses last month.

I haven't looked at the transaxle oil... yet

 

[willabeest]

sometimes there are interesting reasons for fluid change intervals. on my wife's BMW the suggested automatic transmission fluid change interval is never. the reason is that the factory feels the mechanics are more likely to cause a problem servicing the automatic tranny than the tranny having a problem on it's own. if you service the automatic transmission while it is under warranty it may void the warranty.

 

[W]

sometimes there are interesting reasons for fluid change intervals. on my wife's BMW the suggested automatic transmission fluid change interval is never. the reason is that the factory feels the mechanics are more likely to cause a problem servicing the automatic tranny than the tranny having a problem on it's own. if you service the automatic transmission while it is under warranty it may void the warranty.

Automatic transmissions are very complex.

 

[MarkB]

FWIW, I change mine every 3 months, 3k miles, or 3 track events whichever comes first. With my schedule that usually means I am changing oil every month.

 

[Vegas Boy]

on my wife's BMW the suggested automatic transmission fluid change interval is never. the reason is that the factory feels the mechanics are more likely to cause a problem servicing the automatic tranny than the tranny having a problem on it's own.

If you think we like to debate oil related topics ad-infinitium on our board, you should see the back and forth on this topic on the BMW boards..
Personally, I don't know why we all spend time debating....go with what the
engineers that built the car recommend in the manual!

 

[Bart Geerts]

Personally, I don't know why we all spend time debating....go with what the
engineers that built the car recommend in the manual!

Ever heard of over-maintenance? The item being in good condition, but for example the inspection plates can't be closed anymore because the treads are worn??
Have you ever seen the maintenance manual of an airplane?? Some things in an airplane are best left unopened as long as it stays working, but still they put an interval in there, just to make sure thay can't get sued for 'not mentioning' something.
These suing (sorry for spelling, not 100% sure) things are one of the main reasons for differences between Europeen and US maintenance manuals.
Because of this I became ver sceptic on official tech-books published in USA.

 

[goldNSX]

Hi Bart!

nice to hear you again.

I change my oil every 10'000 km. My garage told me every 6 months or 5'000 km would be overmainting if I use the synthetic Mobil 0W/40. I once made an oil expertise after 11'000 km in a german laboratory and the oil was still ok but they told me to change it soon. My average trips are around 100 km. If the car is driven on the track or driven very short distances oil changing becomes very individual.

Greetings,
Thomas

 

[Vegas Boy]

Have you ever seen the maintenance manual of an airplane?? Some things in an airplane are best left unopened as long as it stays working, but still they put an interval in there, just to make sure thay can't get sued for 'not mentioning' something.

Are you saying AMericans sue more than other global citizens?
Come on over here and we'll spill some 180 degree McDonalds coffee on ya.......wait, they serve it lukewarm now because somebody sued them...OK, you gotta point.

Seriously, are the USA and European manual different for the same engines?

 

[NSXLuvr]

Incidentally, I have never heard of any cars that recommend an oil change interval greater than one year.

The New 911(997) has oil change recs of every 20,000 miles

crazy- if you ask me

 

[Bart Geerts]

Seriously, are the USA and European manual different for the same engines?

No, I mean if we know it's an american made engine, the first plan of action is to take a pencil and start deleting points and changing interval times

This is of topic, but did you know that (before they recently started again) the reason CESSNA stopped building single engine general aircraft, was because they got sued that much after accidents. Even pilot-error ones, because the should have warned people??
On side mirrors on cars in USA I know there is mentioned 'objects are closer..... you know. Here it's not, that is also probably a suing thing, if it wasn't mentioned and there is an accident , you can sue the manufacturer because they didn't tell you that the objects are closer???

Unlike most Europeens, I know that not every american has got a process running against Marlboro or their milkman or the paperboy or whoever....

For my profession I'm in the states a lot, and still liking it !!

 

[Tony Montoya]

BMW says you can go 2 years with synthetic oil IF the miles are very low.